Product Details

• Actors: Patricia Routledge, Clive Swift, Geoffrey Hughes, Judy Cornwell, Josephine Tewson
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
• VHS Release Date: August 17, 1999
• Run Time: 87 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305489106
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #322,769 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For those who don't know, the main character of Keeping Up Appearances, Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "bouquet," of course), embodies the phrase "delusions of grandeur." The comedy in this popular British series revolves around Hyacinth's insatiable need to be the most correct hostess, have the "best" people to her candlelight suppers, and to be a sort of Martha-Stewart-Delia-Smith-with-a-cup-of-Emily-Post squared. Patricia Routledge's artful portrayal provides solid ground for the humor; her talented delivery of Hyacinth's pronouncements is complemented expertly by her marvelous facial expressions. Although some of the supporting cast can be overzealous in their acting, Hyacinth's sister Daisy and Onslow (played respectively by Judy Cornwall and Geoffrey Hughes) counterbalance nicely the sometimes hackneyed terror of the more prim and proper characters at Hyacinth's approach.

In the first episode, Hyacinth discovers a spot by the nearby river that's just perfect for a picnic. With zest, she organizes a riverside picnic and invites everyone to her "Waterside Supper with Riparian Entertainments." Hyacinth's guest list includes the perpetually nervous neighbor Elizabeth and her cowering brother Emmett, the vicar and his wife, and her sister Violet. As one might well imagine, the event does not go off without a hitch. Hyacinth carries on in the best British tradition, and all have a chance to admire her stiff upper lip. The second episode finds Hyacinth's long-suffering husband starting his retirement early. Hyacinth is extremely proud of this honor for her husband and looks forward to spending more time with him. Richard, understandably, is not as enthusiastic and remains in a daze on his final day at work. Meanwhile, Hyacinth is angling to get him another job with Henderson Frozen Foods by inviting the prestigious Mrs. Henderson to tea. Fate seems to plot against her as her popular (with the gentlemen) sister Rose arranges to meet a suitor right in front of Hyacinth's house. The final episode features Hyacinth dueling with her social competition (they had a celebrity hardware-store owner to their barbecue) in a uniquely Hyacinth way: with an indoors-outdoors barbecue. She has even managed to commandeer the "garden-center king" for her occasion. This important social event notwithstanding, Daisy's troubles with Onslow become the focus of concern. While Daisy has always known her husband was a "menace to the female sex," he has been coming home late recently and naturally she fears the worst. She turns to her sisters for help and advice. Her timing couldn't be worse for Hyacinth, who is desperately trying to win an imaginary war of celebrity and fancy entertaining. --Amanda Powter

From the back cover

The perfect little entertainment, that's all Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "Bouquet," of course) wants. So take a seat as the BBC's favorite social climber returns with more high-class comedy.

Riparian Entertainments
A country drive sets Hyacinth off planning a riverside picnic. But that's not enough, it must be a "waterside supper with riparian entertainments." And entertaining it is indeed when they are forced to take boats, and deal with lock keepers and a dredging machine in precisely the wrong spot.

Half a Camel
All Hyacinth wants is to have Mrs. Henderson over for tea so she can convince her that Richard would be an asset to her company. But when sister Rose arranges to meet a new boyfriend at Hyacinth's house, tea turns to disaster. For the boyfriend brings a dog as big as half a camel, which refuses to move from Hyacinth's driveway!

Indoor/Outdoor Luxury Barbeque and Finger Buffet
Keeping up with the Barker-Finches, who've achieved local fame hosting barbeques, has become one of Hyacinth's greatest desires. Desperate to surpass them, Hyacinth plans a super barbeque, complete with her own "celebrity." Husband Richard, however, is less than keen about the whole idea.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hyacinth Is So Obnoxious It's Hilarious, December 9, 2000

By 

"alioop27" (Northridge, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keeping Up Appearances - Entertaining the Hyacinth Way [VHS] (VHS Tape)

One of the reasons that I purchased this video was because I have family from England and so I can relate to British humor very well. When my husband and I saw "Keeping Up Appearances" on T.V., we quickly became hooked and it became a weekend ritual.

We loved all the characters; the next-door neighbors Elizabeth and Emmet, who must endure the constant invitations to tea and candlelight suppers. Hyacinth's brother-in-law Onslow, sister Daisy, and adventurous Rose, all of whom she denies out in public any relation to, and her sister Violet, "You know, the one with the Mercedes, sauna and room for a pony?" And Violet's obscure husband George, who appearantly fancies wearing women's clothing. Then there's poor Richard, Hyacinth's "compliant" and "subdued" husband, whom everyone constantly asks "How do you ever manage it?", referring to having a wife such as Hyacinth.

It was in this video, that my husband and I learned the true pronunciation of Hyacinth's last name, which in all reality is pronounced "Bucket" and not "Bouquet". Richard in a rare state of outspokeness, reminds Hyacinth that his name was always "Bucket" until he married her. However in order to upscale all of her aquaintances and friends, she must have a name that fits with her imagined high social status.

I would recommend this video to anyone who loves comedy. It is a breath of fresh air that doesn't need inappropriate language or behavior in order to be hilariously funny.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE HYACINTH WAY 100 % PURE FUN!, August 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Keeping Up Appearances - Entertaining the Hyacinth Way [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Well, I have seen these episodes on PBS, but, now I can watch them whenever I please. And, watch them I, we have. Three times on the first day alone! Then on Sunday, we had our own CANDLELIGHT SUPPER, with light refreshments. We pulled out our service for twelve,of Royal-Doulton, with yes, the hand painted periwinkles, and had one heck of a KUA party. With Hyacinth's new tape, it was easy. It is British comedy at its best. One can only feel pity as poor Richard contemplates EARLY RETIREMENT. or as Richard, Liz, Emmet, the Vicar and his lovely wife load up as they prepare for a Waterside Supper with RIPARIAN Entertainents.Poor Richard is again lost in the jungle of OUTDOOR/INDOOR LUXURY BARBEQUE,AND FINGER BUFFET.It is truely amazing what this determined woman can do as the HOSTESS WITH the MOSTESS of BBC-TV. THANKS HAROLD SNOAD & PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE, and CAST FOR TONS OF BELLY LAUGHS!P.S. THANKS HYACINTH for finding me a copy of; Enquire Within, MODERN ETIQUETTE, and Successful Behaviour for Today, it's full of useful HYACINTH tips.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Viva La BUCKET!, August 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Keeping Up Appearances - Entertaining the Hyacinth Way [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I LOVE "Keeping Up Appearances"! Anyone who's never seen this, should. It's hilarious, original, inventive, and full of social-class satire. British comedy at its best!